OLEAN, N.Y. – The boards of directors of Bradford Regional
Medical Center and Olean (N.Y.) General Hospital have decided to
integrate the hospitals into a “regional health care system.”

During a Monday afternoon news conference, officials from both
hospitals announced the recent signing of non-binding letter of
intent to combine resources under a new parent company.

Timothy J. Finan, president and chief executive officer of Olean
General, said the integration is going to create a situation where
“the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

“Just by the virtue of having a larger platform, it will allow
us to bring in quality specialists,” Finan said. “A larger
institution” created by this integration “will be better able to
support specialists, medical staff and clinical services,”
providing greater health care access to 150,000 area residents,
Finan added.

George Leonhardt, president and CEO of BRMC, said Olean General
and BRMC will remain separate corporate entities, allowing them to
maintain each hospital’s personal identity and hometown touch.

Over the next 12 months a reciprocal review process will
identify each hospital’s strengths and weaknesses. Finan called the
review process a “courting period.”

“It provides an occasion for us to really get to know each
other,” Finan said. “Bradford and Olean will identify what they do
best.”

Finan would not go into detail regarding each hospital’s current
strengths and weaknesses and how those traits might benefit the
other hospital. “That’s what the reciprocal review is for,” he
said.

When asked if cuts will be made should the review reveal overlap
between the hospital’s services, Leonhardt said, “That isn’t even
on the table.”

Edwin O. Pecht, chairman of BRMC’s board of directors, agreed
with Leonhardt, saying the intent of the integration is not to make
any cutbacks.

“The goal is not to cut services and staff; it is to increase
services, which may lead to adding staff,” Pecht said.

The parent company will be formed from existing members of each
hospital’s board of directors, with “implied intent” that Finan
will be president and CEO of the parent company.

Each hospital will retain its own board of directors that will
be responsible for a number of regulatory functions.

The parent company will essentially act as a holding company,
said Brenda Snow, chair of the finance committee of Olean General’s
board of directors.

Snow explained the new parent company will be delegated certain
responsibilities. Each state’s (New York and Pennsylvania)
Department of Health has different regulations, so the parent
company will develop policy that fits within each state’s specific
regulations.

Sister Margaret Carney, president of St. Bonaventure University,
attended the news conference, applauding the two boards’ decision
to integrate. Carney said the assurance of quality health care will
greatly improve area businesses’ ability to recruit top-notch
employees.

“You have given me a terrific gift,” Sister Carney said. “All
our boats will rise.”